Adoption of a Biosecurity Tool - EU PiGThe Biocheck.UGent risk-based biosecurity scoring system is a...
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A 300-sow farrow-to-finish unit that was positive for PRRS, APP, Mycoplasma and influenza and previously had other problems, including diarrhoea, respiratory disease and meningitis adopted the University of Ghent Biosecurity Scoring Tool. The tool enables farmers to review biosecurity and improve performance on their farms through reviewing their unit management. It scores different aspects of biosecurity and allows farmers to identify areas of weakness to address. The ultimate aim is for improvements in biosecurity to translate into better pig health and performance, along with lower costs. The tool - Biocheck.UGent ® The solution - Best practice Adoption of a Biosecurity Tool Point of production: Farrow to Finish Country of origin: Ireland Cost/Benefit analysis The Biocheck.UGent risk-based biosecurity scoring system is a tool available online that allows users to assess the biosecurity level of pig herds in a quantitative and objective manner. The scoring system is based on a questionnaire that can be filled in online and which provides immediate and detailed feedback on the biosecurity situation of the herd. A series of management and biosecurity practices that have helped improve pig health and performance and reduce costs. Improvements enabled: Review and identification of problems on farms is important prior to taking action. Veterinarians, advisors and nutritionists, along with the farmer, were involved in the discussions to find the most cost-effective way of addressing issues on farm. As a result of these discussions, changes to the farm included: • Reduced stocking density in particular areas. • Changes in the flow of animals. • No longer mixing of piglets. • Introduction of footbaths and other hygiene measures. A key change was to build extra accommodation to have the right proportions between the different production stages and allow pigs the right space. Thus, the ‘all-in-all-out’ system is undertaken correctly and re-mixing of pigs is now avoided. Although this change required an initial investment, it paid off very quickly – seen in the 9.3% decrease in production costs per kg slaughter weight. Additional information Further Research & Project Links https:// www.eupig.eu/ Link to technical report Biocheck scoring tool Contact RPIG (Ireland): Ciaran Carroll. √ Control of most of the respiratory and digestive problems and meningitis √ A reduction in antibiotic use by 90% √ Removal of zinc at therapeutic levels √ A reduction in days to slaughter of two weeks, with no change to final carcase weight √ Production costs per kg slaughter weight dropped from 1.66 €/kg to 1.5€/kg, a decrease of 9.3% - Changes took two years to implement - An initial financial investment was required to enact changes, e.g. new accommodation was built, additional cleaning and disinfecting implemented. The farm has been adapted to ensure the thorough cleaning, disinfection and drying of all materials. Clear instructions and blackboards are available on each door for all staff to be able to follow protocols and leave feedback. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727933. This publication only reflects the author’s view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Theme: Health Hanging creep feeders to reduce contamination. Scoring of piglet housing.
Transcript of Adoption of a Biosecurity Tool - EU PiGThe Biocheck.UGent risk-based biosecurity scoring system is a...
A 300-sow farrow-to-finish unit that was positive for PRRS, APP, Mycoplasma and influenza and previously had other problems, including diarrhoea, respiratory disease and meningitis adopted the University of Ghent Biosecurity Scoring Tool. The tool enables farmers to review
biosecurity and improve performance on their farms through reviewing their unit management. It scores different aspects of biosecurity and allows farmers to identify areas of weakness to address. The ultimate aim is for improvements in biosecurity to translate into better pig health and performance, along with lower costs.The tool - Biocheck.UGent ®
The solution - Best practice
Adoption of a Biosecurity ToolPoint of production: Farrow to FinishCountry of origin: Ireland
Cost/Benefit analysis
The Biocheck.UGent risk-based biosecurity scoring system is a tool available online that allows users to assess the biosecurity level of pig herds in a quantitative and objective manner. The scoring system is based on a questionnaire that can be filled in online and which provides immediate and detailed feedback on the biosecurity situation of the herd.
A series of management and biosecurity practices that have helped improve pig health and performance and reduce costs. Improvements enabled:Review and identification of problems on farms is important prior to taking action. Veterinarians, advisors and nutritionists, along with the farmer, were involved in the discussions to find the most cost-effective way of addressing issues on farm. As a result of these discussions, changes to the farm included:• Reduced stocking density in particular areas.• Changes in the flow of animals.• No longer mixing of piglets.• Introduction of footbaths and other hygiene measures.A key change was to build extra accommodation to have the right proportionsbetween the different production stages and allow pigs the right space. Thus, the‘all-in-all-out’ system is undertaken correctly and re-mixing of pigs is now avoided.Although this change required an initial investment, it paid off very quickly – seen inthe 9.3% decrease in production costs per kg slaughter weight.
Additional information
Further Research & Project Linkshttps:// www.eupig.eu/ Link to technical report Biocheck scoring toolContact RPIG (Ireland): Ciaran Carroll.
√ Control of most of the respiratoryand digestive problems andmeningitis√ A reduction in antibiotic use by90%√ Removal of zinc at therapeuticlevels√ A reduction in days to slaughterof two weeks, with no change tofinal carcase weight√ Production costs per kgslaughter weight dropped from1.66 €/kg to 1.5€/kg, a decrease of9.3%
- Changes took two years toimplement- An initial financial investment wasrequired to enact changes, e.g.new accommodation was built,additional cleaning anddisinfecting implemented.
The farm has been adapted to ensure the thorough cleaning, disinfection and drying of all materials.Clear instructions and blackboards are available on each door for all staff to be able to follow protocols and leave feedback.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727933. This publication only reflects the author’s view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
Them
e: H
ealth
Hanging creep feeders to reduce contamination.
Scoring of piglet housing.
